JIT

Our Daily Bread
JIT stands for Just in time.  It is a manufacturing methodology that uses advanced inventory techniques so that inventories are at the right levels "just in time" when they are needed.  There is no need for huge inventories that may or may not be used or no need for huge storage facilities for the inventory.  A factory receives all its inputs or raw materials as they are needed to make their end products.  Pretty amazing stuff!

So many times in our lives we want God to provide a surplus of "stuff" so we can pull it out of our vast warehouse!  Not!  I find God to be more of a JIT kind of provider.  We trust him and he provides over and over again just when we need it!  God is so good to us!  Many times he provides more than we could have even imagined!

I have several examples of this in my life.  The one I like to talk about the most is the Godly roommate that God sent my way.  He is a straight friend from work.  We became friends, the decided to try being roommates.  I initially thought I was helping him out.  I quickly found out God put him in my life to teach me so many things.  Our friendship has grown into brotherhood.  God used him to teach so much about friendships and relationships.

Whatever your situation, please know that God knows and understands.  Tell him about it any way.  He loves to hear from his children.  He wants to you to get closer to him.  He is there waiting.  Waiting to exceed your mere human expectations!

Lord, we thank you and praise you for knowing what is best for us!  Please help us keep out of your way and trying to do things on our own!  Yikes!

Foodie Friday
I have church dinners this weekend and next weekend.  Woohoooo!  Oh, what to make?  I decided on old recipe for the dinner tomorrow night.  I will figure out the other dish and post it next Friday.  Here is the potato dish for tomorrow night:

Italian Au Gratin Potatoes
four large Idaho baking potatoes
four large Yukon Gold potatoes
four large white regular potatoes
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup Asiago cheese
Olive oil (preferably in a mister)
Kosher salt
Black pepper
Onion powder
Garlic powder
NOTE: you can use your favorite cheeses if you like, for example, you can use Pepper Jack cheese if you like it more spicy!

1. Preheat over to 350 degrees.
2. Wash the potatoes thoroughly.  Gently slice all of them very thinly with a mandolin (be careful!).
3. Spray a 13X9 glass baker with Pam or other non-stick coating.
4. Put a single layer of one of the potato types (leave them a little moist from the washing), lightly misting some olive oil, and put a little cheese, salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder.  LIGHTLY means just that as you will have several layers!
5. Repeat step 4 with the other two types of potatoes, then repeat the layers until the baking dish is almost full.  Do not put any cheese on top.  It will hold up very well since we have to bake this for a while.
6.  Cover the baker with aluminum foil and bake for one hour.
7.  Check to see if the potatoes are done by gently poking a fork in the middle.  You can tell if the potatoes are done or a little raw yet.  Bake for another fifteen minutes, covered, then test again.
8.  After the potatoes seem tender, add a top layer of cheese, the recover with foil.  You don't have to bake it any longer to melt the top layer of cheese.

Let set a few minutes before serving.  This travels well if you have a hot/cold travel carrier for your baking dish.  Enjoy!

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As wise King Solomon said, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6).